He says that will help convince more formers to change their practices to limit nutrient and chemical run-off.

"You could put in place a whole stack of additional environmental legislation forcing people to do certain things," he said.

"I don't think that's the way to go. Yes, we've got to have some of that but I think this partnership way ... I mean they are stewards, they are stewards of the land and that is very well recognised by a whole group of people, just perhaps not enough."

The chairman of Agribusiness Gippsland, Alex Arbuthnot, says farmers already know they have a part to play in preserving the lakes system.

"Why would any farmer run nutrients off his farm? The cost of nutrients is so important," he said.

"So I do think that Gippsland farmers are aware of the importance of working together and getting good productive outcomes and natural resource outcomes."